Author Archives: blenon

Free Online STEM Resources

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Keep Young Minds Engaged!
While your kids are at home indefinitely, check out these free online STEM resources that can help keep them stay engaged in STEM learning. Click on title for website:

Code.org Courses  Computer Science K-college
Tinkercad Codeblocks Coding 3-12
Teach Engineering Engineering K-12
PBS Design Squad Engineering 6-8
Khan Academy STEM PreK-12
PBS Education STEM K-12
PBS Learning Media Math for Kids Math K-12
Smithsonian Science Education Center STEM K-8
PHET Math & Science Interactive Simulations  Science & Math K-college
NASA Education Activities STEM K-12
Rasmussen College- 11 Simple STEM Activities STEM PreK-5
Study Island Science & Math K-12
Science Buddies STEM PreK-5
K12 Science & Math K-12

NOVA SySTEMic Goes Online!

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STEMinars: Online Workshops and Professional Development

We offer STEMinars (STEM Workshops) throughout the year to bring new STEM technologies to light and new students into STEM. In addition, our STEM Education Coordinators work with each school division to provide hands-on technical training to support teachers in academic and co-curricular programs.

Now, in response to social distancing measures, we are launching Online STEMinars, led by STEM staff and faculty, so you never have to distance yourself from project-based learning! These video-recorded or virtually live sessions are offered for FREE and cover a broad range of STEM topics. Some of these sessions include introductions to design software, computer programming, electronics such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi, 3D scanning, makerspace/fabrication equipment, robotics, and more.

STEMinars are designed to be an online resource for the community and will walk you through sample projects and design challenges so that you can develop STEM skills. Registration is required at least 24 hours before a session starts. Sessions run 30-60 minutes depending upon age level and topic.

NOVA staff are working remotely to make additional STEMinars available in the coming months so be on the lookout for new offerings on our website and social media.

Upcoming STEMinars

STEMinar: Cybersecurity Workshops
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:00-12:50pm starting March 19 through end of May
Check out our popular virtual Cyber Workshops, presented in partnership with ISACA and NOVA faculty and staff. All sessions have different topics and speakers and are recorded for future playback. Topics include Continuity of Operations for the Home, Personal Security Tradecraft, Cyber for High School Students, Teachers, & Parents, and more.

> Register Now

For videos from past workshops click here

STEMinar: Robotics Competitions – A Strategic Approach.
Monday April 6 (4pm) for VEXIQ Challenge 
Wednesday April 8 (4pm) for VEX Robotics Competition
Then weekly through May on Mondays (VIQ) and Wednesdays (VRC)
Learn how to start the robotics season right! Afnan Ali, a world champion roboticist, will spend an hour each week working through game strategy. Participants will learn how to analyze and breakdown previous year’s games as well as document strategies that lead toward successful robot prototypes. This introduction on how to apply the engineering design process to competitive robotics is a great introduction for students, parents and mentors. Suitable for ages 10 and up.

> Register Now 

STEMinar: Intro to Programming with Python
Wednesdays starting April 8 through April 29 (all at 2pm)
Python is a programming language used to develop software on the web and in app form, including mobile. It’s relatively easy to learn, and can be used to process text, display numbers or images, solve scientific equations, and save data.

Intro to Python: Mad Libs (I/O, variables)
Learn about basic keyboard input, terminal output, and variables by writing a simple       Mad Libs game.

Python Branching: Text Adventure Game (if/elif/else)
Explore how to make decisions on the fly with if/elif/else statements in order to create a simple text adventure game.

Python Looping: Guessing Game (repetition)
Examine and use ‘while’ loops to have your user guess a random number until they run out of tries or get it correct. We’ll explore the dynamics of user feedback as well as scoring.

Python Collections: Hangman (managing lots of items)
After a brief intro to Python’s built-in list collection, we’ll use these data structures to implement a simple version of the classic word-guessing game Hangman.

> Register Now

STEMinar: Introduction to SketchUp.
April 10 (2pm) & April 23 (7pm)
SketchUp is a premier 3D design software that truly makes 3D modeling for everyone, with a simple to learn yet robust toolset that empowers you to create whatever you can imagine.

> Register Now 

STEMinar: Introduction to Inkscape.
April 14 (7pm) & April 30 (7pm)
This session provides an overview of the free software program called Inkscape, which helps the user transform ideas into a digital representation, which can then be converted to a physical product.

> Register Now 

STEMinar: 3D Scanning
April 14 (7pm) & May 1 (7pm)
3D scanning allows users to copy real objects for editing on software. Learn about the present and future possibilities of 3D modeling. We’ll discuss the current technologies such as Photogrammetry and 3D scanners and more emergent technologies such as NeRF (Neural Radiance Fields). 

> Register Now 

Digital Realty Mock Interview
Date: TBD

Fab Lab – Sewable LED Emoji Pin
Date: TBD

Fab Lab – TinkerCAD
Date: TBD

 

Livestreaming of States20

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Welcome to the live streaming of States20. Please use the links below to navigate to each livestream event for each division (HS VRC, MS VRC and VIQ). Each division will feature qualification matches (and elimination matches including round of 16 and quarter finals for VRC).

All the finals as well as the opening and award ceremonies will be livestreamed in a separate channel.

livestream.novastem.us/States/AwardsFinals

Friday March 6
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
4:25pm – 5:15pm Finals and Award Ceremony (VIQ ES only)

Saturday March 7
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
4:30pm – 5:15pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:00pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

livestream.novastem.us/States/ESVIQ

Friday March 6
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
1:00pm – 4:10pm Qualification Matches
4:25pm – 5:15pm Finals and Award Ceremony

livestream.novastem.us/States/MSVIQ

Saturday March 6
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
11:30am – 12:15pm Qualification Matches
1:00pm – 3:30pm Qualification Matches
4:00pm – 4:30pm Elimination Matches
4:30pm – 5:15pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:00pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

livestream.novastem.us/States/MSVRC

Friday March 6
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
2:00pm – 4:20pm Qualification Matches
5:15pm – 6:15pm Qualification Matches

Saturday March 7
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
10:00am – 12:00pm Qualification Matches
12:45pm – 2:00pm Qualification Matches
3:15pm – 4:30pm Elimination Matches (Round of 16, Quarterfinals and Semifinals)
4:30pm – 5:15pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:00pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

livestream.novastem.us/States/HSVRC

Friday March 6
12:00pm – 12:30pm Opening Ceremony
2:00pm – 4:20pm Qualification Matches
5:15pm – 6:15pm Qualification Matches

Saturday March 7
9:00am – 9:40am Award Ceremony and VIQ MS Welcome
10:00am – 12:00pm Qualification Matches
12:45pm – 2:00pm Qualification Matches
3:15pm – 4:30pm Elimination Matches (Round of 16, Quarterfinals and Semifinals)
4:30pm – 5:15pm Finals (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)
5:15pm – 6:00pm Award Ceremony (VIQ MS, VRC MS, and VRC HS)

Fab Lab – Upcoming Workshops

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WORKSHOPS: 

Code & Operate a Mini Robotic Car! – March 16
Participants will learn to program and operate a small robotic car.  Activities include use of different sensors (ultrasonic, IR, color), line-following, and driver versus autonomous control.

Laser Cutting & Engraving – March 17 & April 7
Participants will learn how to use a laser system to cut and engrave acrylic and glass.  Participants will be able to keep the items they make, including an engraved drinking glass.  For beginners.

Intro to 3D Design & Printing – March 21
Would you like to learn how to draw and 3D print a design? Do you have no to little experience with CAD (computer aided design) software and 3D printing?  If so, then this is the class for you!

Creating Prototypes & Solving Design Challenges – March 24
Participants will learn to use various machinery (3D printer, plastic forming center, wire bender, etc.) and a CAD (computer aided design) software program to solve design challenges.

Arduino & Raspberry Pi – March 24 & 31
Participants will learn how to build circuits with Arduino and how to build their very own website using Raspberry Pi.  This workshop is intended for beginners with no experience.

Mother’s Day Gift Making – April 29
Use your creativity and some technology to create a Mother’s Day gift at the NOVA Fab Lab!  We will help you design and personalize a gift using one of our 3D printers.  No 3D printing experience necessary.

>> Click here for more details and to register for workshops

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Community Open House – March 14
Open to the public with free hands-on activities for all age levels!  Click here to Register

Thursday Demo Nights
Each Thursday we will be giving an overview and demonstration on how a specific piece (or group) of fabrication equipment works.  Register here

 

Interviewing Skills Workshops in March

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NOVA SySTEMic is hosting Interviewing Skills Workshops, led by The Career Engineer® (TCE), for STEM and CTE Majors as well as students enrolled in IT, Business, and Health Care programs. TCE can help increase your career confidence and impact your chance to land your dream job! Students will have the opportunity to participate in interview simulation activities and learn how to successfully get through an interview. Participants receive early entry to the IET Career Fair on April 3, 2020 at the NOVA Annandale Campus.

Where and When?

March 24th
10am Annandale Campus
3pm Loudoun Campus

March 25th
10am Manassas Battleview
3pm MEC Springfield Campus

March 26th
10am Alexandria Campus
3pm Woodbridge Campus

Register now at career.novastem.us/InterviewingSkillsWorkshop

IET Job Fair – April 3

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NOVA IET is hosting a Job Fair at the NOVA Annandale Campus on Friday, April 3, from 10-3pm.

The IET Job Fair is for current NOVA students and alumni who are majoring in or are interested in a career  in the IT, Engineering Technologies, or IT related fields. We expect to have companies from every field represented within IT and Engineering Technologies participating in the Job Fair.

Pre-register for the Job Fair here.

Companies participating in the IET Job Fair so far are:
Apex Systems
PRISM Inc.
Ridgeline
General Dynamics Information Technology
Arlington County Government
Aegis.net INC
GovSmart, Inc
Red River
Zeneth Technology Partners
GCyber, LLC
B & A

This list is still growing, so check here for updates.

IET Career Exploration Fair – March 18

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Explore your future – check out what NOVA’s CTE Programs can do for you! NOVA is hosting their third Career Exploration Fair for high school and college students to explore CTE & STEM Programs and certifications at the NOVA Loudoun Campus. The fair will include an overview of enrollment, programs of study, and student services. Don’t miss it – you may find out what you want to do!

Date and Time:
Wednesday March 18, 2020
NOVA Loudoun Campus
21200 Campus Drive
Sterling, VA 20164
6:00 – 8:00pm

Sign up at career.novastem.us/explore

Questions? Contact STEM Coordinator Tiffanie Rosier at trosier@nvcc.edu

 

Black History Month at NOVA features an Engineer

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Dionne Henry is the Program Chief Engineer for Operational Commercial Engines for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engines and will host “Making The Table Bigger: Minority Success in a Majority World” on Thursday, February 13th. It will be a moderated “fireside chat” with Dionne talking about her experience as the first African American woman to hold the position of Chief Engineer at this company, how she got where she is and how to refine your professional experiences for success.

When & Where
Thursday, February 13th
NOVA Manassas Campus
Colgan Theater
10950 Campus Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
12pm – 2pm

Questions? Please contact Marcie Schreibman at mschreibman@nvcc.edu

Community College Innovation Challenge

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Calling All Community College Student Innovators – Do you know a student with an entrepreneurial spirit and an interest in STEM?

For the fifth year, AACC in partnership with the National Science Foundation, is inviting community college students to participate in the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC).

The CCIC is a prestigious competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator team mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; earn travel support to attend an Innovation Boot Camp in Washington, DC; and compete for cash awards.

The Boot Camp provides hands-on learning opportunities and coaching designed to build strategic communication and entrepreneurial skills—and includes a student poster session on Capitol Hill, and a formal pitch presentation at the Boot Camp in front of a panel of industry professionals, to determine the first and second place winning teams.

Diverse and interdisciplinary teams that include students in STEM, business, humanities, and other fields are encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE: Submissions are due by March 31, 2020.

What can you do?  
JOIN: Assemble a student team and become a faculty or administrator mentor.
SHARE: Help us spread the word and join the conversation online! Share this click-to-tweet.
APPLY: Encourage students to learn more or apply at www.aaccinnovationchallenge.com.

For questions, email CCIC@aacc.nche.edu.
#CCIChallenge2020

Need Judges for PW-Manassas Science/Engineering Fair – March 7

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The Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Office of Student Learning cordially invites you to judge student research projects at the upcoming 2020 Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The Middle (Grades 6-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12) Division fairs will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Kelly Leadership Center located at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas, Virginia.

As in the prior years, judges will participate in a short training session the morning of the fair, and will be provided with a complimentary breakfast and a hot lunch, an appreciation gift – a bluetooth wireless speaker (see below), and a certificate of participation toward Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits or Professional Development (PD) points.

We greatly appreciate your willingness to share your time and expertise with our students by judging their projects and providing feedback for their future research.

If you are interested and available, please register at https://tinyurl.com/y5afxn8s. You will receive a confirmation email and specific details about the event and your role in January.

In addition, please consider sharing the information about this event with other potential judges.

Please contact the Office of Science and Family Life Education at 703.791.7240 with any questions you may have regarding the fair or registration. We are looking forward to working with you again this year!